Switzerland is a land of rugged, lush beauty. In the summer time, Switzerland boasts some exceptionally green and beautiful mountain scenery. Lauren and I stopped at an overlook of a mountain lake and took several pictures. We continued south with Lauren complaining only occasionally about my "sporty" mountain driving. (Perhaps she was too nervous to speak? Eh, whatever works.)
We stopped for the night in Paradiso, a district of the Swiss mountain town Lugano. Paradiso is apparently the Swiss-Italian word for "strip club" as we managed to locate several within a block radius of our hotel (which boasted "half-off" the "consummation" in the disco-style dance club located on the ground floor of the hotel.) Adventures abound...
We polished off a bottle of wine and slept soundly in preparation of continuing our journey.
The next day we entered Italy and immediately began to understand our German neighbor's ranting about terrible Italian driving. Apparently it is customary to utilize the ENTIRE road during one's operation of a motor vehicle. I am also continually astounded by the failure of Italian drivers to hear the clicking of the turn-signals being left on for mile upon mile. We survived our adventure through Italy and arrive at our boat.
We stock the boat with necessary provisions, load and stow our bags below deck, and sit down to receive a brief from our friendly skipper Francesca. She is assisted by Claudio, a man with eyebrows to which I can only aspire. Francesca gives us the lowdown on our journey and insists the weather during our trip will be "Terrible." "Terrible?" I ask. "Are you sure you understand the use of this word?" 'Terrible," she confirms "As in 'really really bad.'" Oh.
We sail from Marina di Salivoli and make 4 knots for Portoferraio. The main seaport of the Island of Elba. The Island of Elba of Napoleon fame. We arrive and spend a relatively uneventful night of eating and wine drinking on the boat.
The next day we sail around the point to a small bay were we drop anchor and sit leisurely. A relaxing day filled with much rocking, ice cold water, and Mr. Incredible II. The water is however beautiful and I come to the conclusion that the Mediterranean is a suitable substitute for the Pamlico sound. (Mr. Incredible II was the GIANT yacht that joined us in the bay for the afternoon. I had boat envy.)
We harbored in Portoferraio that evening. Lauren and I had a wonderful meal at a small restaurant on the dock. I ate some of he best tuna I've had at this place. They had really good house wine as well.
We harbored all day the next day. This turned out to be a good thing as over fifty boats capsized on the southern side of Elba that day. Lauren and I had Bloody Marys and good food at a small cafe near the dock. We also shopped a bit. Lauren bought a nice belt.
The next day we started our journey back to Marina di Salivoli. We stopped to eat lunch in a small bay. Lauren cooked her famous black bean burritos. After a good lunch we started for home. Along the way Francesca explained the uniqueness of that particular area. Strong and unpredictable currents. As if on cue, the 40' boat we were on did a completed 180 degree turn, nearly capsizing. Needless to say, we dropped sails and motored back to port. A harrowing end to an interesting adventure.
After settling all debts, Lauren and I began our journey back. We stopped for the night in Milan and pressed on the next day. We traveled through five countries that day including Italy, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, and finally Germany. Quite an end to our Italian adventure.
Looks like a blast. Glad there was fun to be had even though the weather was terrible!
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